Phrasebook / Directions
How to Ask for Directions in Japanese
Asking the way is the easy part. Understanding the reply is harder, so it helps to ask someone to show you on a map, and to learn the few direction words below. People will often walk you part of the way, or to the door.
6 useful phrases
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Where is ___?
___はどこですか？
___はどこですか？ · ___ wa doko desu ka?
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Where is the toilet?
トイレはどこですか？
トイレはどこですか？ · toire wa doko desu ka?
Stations and konbini nearly always have one.
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Can I walk there?
歩いて行けますか？
あるいていけますか？ · aruite ikemasu ka?
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Could you show me on the map?
地図で教えてもらえますか？
ちずでおしえてもらえますか？ · chizu de oshiete moraemasu ka?
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Where's the nearest konbini?
一番近いコンビニはどこですか？
いちばんちかいコンビニはどこですか？ · ichiban chikai konbini wa doko desu ka?
Konbini ATMs (7-Eleven) take foreign cards.
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I'm lost
道に迷いました
みちにまよいました · michi ni mayoimashita
A 交番 (kōban) police box will help with directions.
Good to know
Words you will hear in the answer
まっすぐ (massugu) means straight ahead, 右 (migi) means right and 左 (hidari) means left. 信号 (shingō) is a traffic light and 角 (kado) is a corner. Most directions are given using landmarks, such as turning left at the konbini, so listen for those too.
Why addresses are hard to follow
Most streets in Japan have no names. Addresses work by district and block number, and building numbers do not always run in order along a street. Save your destination's name in Japanese and use a map app. If you are nearly there, it can be quicker to phone the place or ask at a nearby shop.
When you are lost
A 交番 (kōban) is a small neighbourhood police box, and giving directions is a routine part of the job. Large stations have many exits that can be a long way apart, so check the exit number for your destination before you leave the platform.